Isotoma plant named ‘TMLU 1401’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Isotoma plant named TMLU 1401 that is characterized by short, compact self-branching growth habit, mid-green compound leaves and bright single non-fading flowers which are saturated vibrant pink-purple in color. Each flower of TMLU 1401 bears a central contrasting bright yellow-green eye.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Isotoma plant named TMLU 1401 as described and illustrated herein.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The photograph was taken of a nine month old plant of TMLU 1401 which had been grown outdoors in a 13 cm container in Santa Barbara, Calif. The photograph illustrates the overall appearance of TMLU 1401 showing the colors of its foliage and flowers as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

(2) The following is a detailed botanical description of the new Isotoma cultivar named TMLU 1401. Observations, measurements, values and comparisons were collected from a plant grown outdoors in Santa Barbara, Calif. The observed plant was approximately nine months old and was growing in a 13 cm container. The plant had been grown without the use of growth retardant chemicals or any pinching. Color determinations were made in accordance with The 2007 Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart from London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growing requirements of the new variety TMLU 1401 are similar to the species. Botanical classification: Genus and species.Isotoma axillaris. Family.Campanulaceae. Parentage: TMLU 1401 was selected as a seedling from the progeny of the following parents: Male parent.Isotoma seedling designated LU12009-2. Female parent.Isotoma seedling designated LU12009-3. Plant: Habit and shape.Compact and upright. Commercial category.Annual. Use.As a bedding plant or container plant or for mixed combination plantings. Suggested commercial container size.9 cm container and larger. Propagation method.Vegetative cuttings (tip cuttings). Rooting system.Fine. Vigor.Moderately vigorous once established. Crop time (average).3 months are required to produce a flowering plant in a 9 cm container from an unrooted cutting. Dimensions.30 cm in height and spread. Cultural requirements.Performs best in full sun, with moderate water, and most soil types. Pest and disease susceptibility.None known to the inventor. Hardiness.Frost sensitive: Survives over-winter in USDA Zone 10 and warmer. Special growing recommendations.None, plants are self-branching and naturally low-growing and spreading. Stems: Branching habit.Both basal and lateral branching. Basal stem quantity.Approximately 10 basal stems produced in one season. Lateral stem quantity.Approximately 5 lateral stems per basal stem. Stem shape.Cylindrical. Surface.Glabrous. Stem color.138A. Stem length.15 cm to 20 cm. Stem diameter.4 mm at base. Stem strength.Moderately strong, wiry. Internode (average).1.5 cm. Foliage: Leaf type.Pinnately compound. Leaf arrangement.Alternate. Leaf division.Simple. Leaf margin.Smooth, entire. Leaf surface (both surfaces).Glabrous. Leaf shape (outline).Narrowly elliptic. Leaf lobes.Typically three long lobes and 5 or 6 short lobes on each side. Leaf dimensions.7 cm to 9 cm in length, 3.0 cm to 4.5 cm in width. Lobe dimensions.Large lobes are 2 cm in length and up to 7 mm in width. Small lobes are 5 mm to 10 mm in length and up to 3 mm in width. Leaf color (adaxial surface).N137C. Leaf color (adaxial surface).138A. Leaf and lobe apex.Acute. Leaf base.Cuneate. Venation pattern.Pinnate. Vein color (both surfaces).As adjacent leaf tissue. Attachment.Petiolate. Petiole surface.Glabrous. Petiole color.138B. Petiole shape, dimensions.Caniculate, 1 cm length and 2.5 mm in width. Inflorescence: Type.Solitary flower. Arrangement.Axillary. Blooming months.March to October. Flower quantity.Typically 2 open flowers and 4 to 6 buds on each lateral flowering branch. Flower aspect.Upright and outward facing. Flower type.Single, 5 petals fused at base to 5-lobed corolla tube. Flower dimensions.3.5 cm in diameter and 2.5 cm in depth including corolla tube. Persistent or self cleaning.Self-cleaning. Peduncle shape.Cylindrical. Peduncle surface.Glabrous. Peduncle color.138A except 144C at base. Peduncle dimensions (average).9 cm in length and 2 mm in diameter. Axillary peduncle angle.30 away from the vertical. Bud shape.Obovate. Bud apex.Acute. Bud color.145B, 64C. Rate of opening.Rapid, from 1 to 2 days from visible bud to fully open flower. Bud surface.Glabrous. Bud dimensions.8 mm in length, 4.5 mm in diameter. Corolla (tube) shape.Campanulate, 5-lobed. Corolla dimensions.Long tube, 2 cm in length and 3.5 mm in diameter. Corolla surface (both surfaces).Glabrous. Corolla color (external surface).145B and 145C with light purple longitudinal streaks closest to 70B. Lobes (petals).5 in number. Lobe arrangement.Rotate, two upper lobes slightly narrower than three lower lobes. All lobes same length. Palate or eye.Present on lower lobes only. Lobe shape.Obovate. Lobe dimensions (upper lobes).17 mm in length, 8 mm in width. Lobe dimensions (lower lobes).17 mm in height, 10 mm in width. Lobe (petal) arrangement.Apopetalous, two upper lobes slightly overlapping, three lower lobes free. Lobes fused at base to fused corolla tube. Lobe color (two upper lobes, adaxial surface).64C. Lobe color (three lower lobes, adaxial surface).64C, which color stops abruptly laterally approximately 3 mm from lobe base, after which lobe base color becomes cream and green-yellow. NN155A and 1A are both present at the base of the lower lobes. Taken together, the lobe bases present the effect of a contrasting bright yellow-green eye in the pink-purple flower. Lobe color (abaxial surface).Very pale pink-purple, between 62C and 62D, except for midrib 64C. Lobe margin.Entire, same color as adaxial surface but appears an edge, color 64C, on abaxial surface. Lobe surface (both surfaces).Glabrous. Lobe apex.Acuminate. Lobe base.Truncate (fused to corolla tube). Calyx shape.Campanulate. Calyx dimensions.5 mm in depth, 2 cm in diameter. Sepals.5 in number. Sepal shape.Very narrow lanceolate. Sepal dimensions.12 mm in length and 1 mm in width at sepal base. Sepals fused or unfused.Unfused. Sepal color (both surfaces).138A. Sepal margin.Entire. Sepal apex.Acute. Sepal base.Cuneate. Sepal surface (both surfaces).Glabrous. Reproductive organs: Stamens.5 in number, attached approximately halfway along corolla tube. Stamen dimensions, color.12 mm in length, less than 1 mm in diameter, color between white and 144D. Anthers.Dorsifixed, oblong, 3 mm in length, 1 mm in width, color: N187C. Pollen amount.Moderate, color: 160B. Pistil.1 in number, length 2 cm, width 1.5 mm, color ranges between 145B and 145C. Stigma.Capitate, bi-lobed, 2 mm in diameter, color N186A. Ovary (undeveloped).Inferior, globose, 1 mm in diameter, color 151D. Seeds: None observed.

COMPARISON TO COMMERCIAL PARENTAL LINES AND COMMERCIAL VARIETY

(3) TMLU 1401 may be compared with its parents as follows: Whereas TMLU 1401 exhibits very large deep pink-purple flowers, both the male parent LU12009-2 and the female parent LU12009-3 exhibit very large purple flowers. Neither of the parents exhibit the naturally vigorous branching that characterizes TMLU 1401. In addition, the flowers of the female parent LU12009-3 fade in direct sun, whereas the flowers of TMLU 1401 maintain their saturated color until onset of flower senescence.

(4) The closest comparison plants to TMLU 1401 which are known to the inventor are Isotoma axillaris Beth's Blue (unpatented) and the inventor's variety Isotoma plant named TMLU 1301 (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,511).

(5) In comparison with Beth's Blue, TMLU 1401 bears much larger flowers which are deep pink-purple in color, whereas the flowers of Beth's Blue are mid-blue in color. In addition, plants of Beth's Blue exhibit a more open growth habit.

(6) The inventor's variety TMLU 1301 differs from TMLU 1401 in that TMLU 1301 has vibrant purple flowers whereas TMLU 1401 has deep pink-purple flowers.